Information Sought on Two Personal Robberies at the I-4 West Bound Truck Rest Stop

Polk County Sheriff's Office detectives are asking the public's help with providing information on two separate personal robberies that maybe related. The robberies occurred at the rest stop located on I-4 Westbound Lane on mile marker 46 near Polk City.

First incident occurred on Thursday, January 26, 2012 at approximately 3:00 p.m., a victim, who is a truck driver, stopped at the I-4 west bound rest stop. The victim was approached by a group of 6-8 white males claiming to be giving out cash to truck drivers. The victim approached one of the suspects to be involved in the card game that claimed to double the amount of money in that players wallet. The victim opened up his wallet exposing his cash. The victim advised the suspect grabbed the cash from his hand and fled the area on foot. The victim stated a couple of white males on scene held his arms to allow the suspect to get away and then fled themselves.

The suspect, who snatched the cash out of the victims hands, was described as a 60 year-old white male with a beard and mustache. The suspect was observed wearing a t-shirt and baseball cap and fled in a red pick up truck heading west on I-4.

Second incident occurred on Friday, January 27, 2012 at approximately 3:30 p.m., a victim, who is a truck driver, stopped at the I-4 west bound rest stop. Upon walking back to his truck he observed a group of ten men standing next to his truck. Upon approaching the door of the truck one of the men asked if he was driving the truck. Then four or five of the suspects pushed him against the truck and another suspect reached into his pocket and removed $675 in cash. All the suspects standing next to the truck all fled on foot to several vehicles parked nearby.

The suspects fled in what appeared to be a red pickup truck, brown F-150 pickup, red 4-door car, and what appeared to be a compact blue vehicle.

The suspect who took the victims money was described as a white male who is 5-02, 140 lbs, in his 40’s wearing a mechanic uniform. The other men were all 38 – 45 years old and average height and weight.

If anyone has information about either of these incidents or can identify the suspects they are urged to call Detective Kenneth Deweese or Detective Jared Bahre at 863-236-3938.

ANYONE WITH INFORMATION WHO WANTS TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS AND BE ELIGIBLE FOR A CASH REWARD IS ASKED TO CALL1-800-226-TIPS or LOG ONTO www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com. ANONYMITY IS GUARANTEED! iPhone and Droid users can download a free tip submit app to anonymously report crime. To install these free apps, please visit www.tipsoft.com.